Cricket-Asia Cup cricket to go on despite Sri Lanka suicide bombing

COLOMBO (AFP)
Sri Lanka's cricket authorities expressed confidence on staging next week's Asia
Cup tournament despite the suicide bomb attack that killed five people inside a
high security zone in the capital.

Sri Lanka Cricket said there were no cancellations
for the six-nation tournament from July 16 to August 1 and that authorities were
prepared to arrange maximum security for the teams and the fans.

"We have no reason to change our plans," Sri Lanka
Cricket spokesman Ray Illangakoon said. "As far as we are concerned, the
tournament will go ahead as scheduled."

Officials said Colombo's first suicide bombing in
nearly three years was directed at a Tamil government minister bitterly opposed
to the Tamil Tiger rebels, who are waging a drawn-out campaign for a separate
state.

Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and
the United Arab Emirates will take part in the Asia Cup tournament which
involves 13 matches, including nine day-and-night matches.

Matches are to be played in Colombo as well as in
Dambulla, a four to five hours drive from the capital.

(Source : target=_blank>http://www.cricmania.com/cricket/afpNews/index/user/us03/ref/040708050059.onwiqt5k.html)

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